PHOTO ESSAY: Activists gather in Cape Town to march for dignity and freedom

Cape Town - November 19 marked a year since 10 members of Social Justice Coalition (SJC) won a Constitutional Court case, defending the right to assembly without requiring permission from the state.

To celebrate this victory, hundreds of activists gathered to march to Parliament on Tuesday, while sending a message of solidarity with all people around the globe, protesting for dignity, freedom, equality and a better future.

The protest, which commenced from Philip Kgosana Drive, included installations and imagery along the route to Parliament, paying homage to past and present protests.

Social Justice Coalition deputy-general secretary Mandisa Dyantyi said they marched because freedom of assembly and freedom of expression was still being restricted and under attack around the world.

“Today, we protest against the growing impact of widening inequality, the physicality of hate and fear, and because we hope and dream of a more just tomorrow. Today, we call on the President to release the international panel of experts’ report on Public Order Policing, drafted in the shadow of the Marikana massacre.

Social Justice Coalition's Mandisa Dyantyi said they marched because freedom of assembly and freedom of expression was still being restricted. Video: Armand Hough/African News Agency

"We also want to draw the President’s attention to proposed legislation, like the Critical Infrastructure Bill, and existing legislation and municipal by-laws that will, and do, place limitations on freedom of assembly and our ability to hold those in power to account,” Dyantyi said.

The protest also honoured the historical victories secured through individual and collective action against injustice. It featured colourful performance pieces curated by Qondiswa James and Puleng Stewart, SWEAT Sex Work Theatre, Tshisimani Art Activism Group, Tandile Mbatsha, Tshegofatso Mabutla, Lwanda the Poet and a local Khayelitsha choir group.

Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency(ANA)

The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) led the march from Hanover Street in District Six to Parliament. Performance pieces curated by Qondiswa James and Puleng Stewart. Performances include the SWEAT Sex Work Theatre, Tshisimani Art Activism Group, Tandile Mbatsha, Tshegofatso Mabutla, Lwanda the Poet and a local Khayelitsha choir group, KTC Fam. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency(ANA)